Leonardo DRS and KNDS Sign Strategic Teaming Agreement to Offer High-Performance Self-Propelled Howitzer to U.S. Army

New Capability Will Support Service Needs for Greater Range and Improved Mobility for Artillery System.

WASHINGTON, D.C. OCTOBER 13, 2025 -- Leonardo DRS and KNDS announced today that they have entered into a strategic teaming agreement to offer a high-performance, self-propelled howitzer system to the U.S. defense market. The CAESAR® Self-Propelled Howitzer is a proven and reliable system that addresses the U.S. Army’s needs for greater range and improved mobility. It is a powerful, and combat-proven, system built for accuracy, adaptability and rapid worldwide deployment.

The agreement brings together two leading defense companies with deep experience in developing and delivering mobile tactical capabilities. Leonardo DRS, a global leader in platform integration will be the prime contractor, and KNDS, a global leader in developing mobile artillery systems and complete range of ammunition, the designer and current producer of the CAESAR®. The team intends to present the U.S. Army with a highly effective combat system that is proven in modern combat environments.

"The ability for soldiers to rapidly and reliably put artillery on target is a crucial mission the U.S. Army is addressing, said Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit. “By teaming with KNDS, we are proud to be able to offer the service with a mature, accurate, and high-performing solution that is ready to be fielded today.”

The CAESAR® Self-Propelled Howitzer’s advantages can fulfil the Army’s immediate need for more capable artillery systems. The platform is engineered to deliver effective, longer-range artillery support with precision, and fast response times. Its rapid firing capability offers sustained support during engagements while its high mobility provides users the ability for quick positioning in virtually any terrain. CAESAR®’s architecture demonstrated particularly relevance in Ukraine against the UAV and Loitering Munition threat. The excellent survivability rate combined with a high operational readiness rate are a direct result of CAESAR®’s modular architecture.

“KNDS is proud to team with Leonardo DRS to offer the US Army an affordable solution based on a very robust, accurate, and combat-proven artillery system” said Olivier Travert, marketing and sales director of KNDS France. “This weapon is particularly suited to address the challenges that Warfighters will face in the coming decades. CAESAR®’s 52 caliber ordnance has a superb, demonstrated safety record in combat conditions, in all climates, after firing hundreds of thousands rounds. The lessons learned in three years of combat in Ukraine - where 120 CAESAR® are now deployed -, give us an outstanding position to offer the United-States Army a state-of-the-art weapon which can be integrated on a U.S. tactical truck”.

Teaming to pursue this emerging U.S. Army requirement underscores Leonardo DRS’s leadership and proven experience in identifying, developing and delivering innovative, integrated systems for new critical-need markets. This opportunity also allows KNDS to expand its leading capabilities into the U.S. defense market.